Donald Trump fires back at 2016 rival: You 'couldn’t be elected dog catcher'

Businessman and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a back-yard reception in Bedford, New Hampshire, June 30, 2015.
REUTERS/Dominick Reuter
Real-estate magnate Donald Trump fired off angry tweets at one of his GOP rivals in the presidential race Wednesday, accusing him of being a has-been who couldn't get elected to office again.

Trump is being heavily criticized by businesses, celebrities, and others after he used harsh rhetoric to describe Mexican migrants during his campaign launch last month. Among other things, Trump accused Mexico of sending its "rapists" and drug runners to the US.

"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best; they're not sending you," Trump said then, according to a transcript. "They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."

For his part, Pataki told his fellow Republicans rivals that condemning Trump's remarks would represent true leadership on their part.

"As Donald Trump doubles down, I'm asking you to join me in standing up. Stand up for our party, for the ideals that made America great, and stand for the basic decency and integrity entitled to every American, no matter their heritage or nationality," Pataki wrote in the letter. "Join me. Stand up now. Denounce his comments today."